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November 24, 2013

The world needs V&Oak Magazine and so do you!

A little earlier this year, I had the profound honour of being featured in not one, but two different articles pertaining to mid-century fashion in V&Oak magazine's premier print edition. Though I've appeared in numerous online magazines over the years, this was my first time being featured in a print publication, and the experience truly stands out as one of the best and most exciting highlights of my blogging (and vintage loving) life so far.

One need only spend a few moments flipping through an issue of V&Oak or bopping around on their website to understand that this magazine is a cut above the vast majority of its peers. I say that completely devoid of any kind of bias, because of my appearance in their marvelous Fall/Winter 2013 edition. No, my feelings would resonate just as deeply whether or not such was the case.

You see, V&Oak is a magazine that falls squarely in line with my own personal style aesthetics and beliefs when it comes to how one should approach dressing, and by extension, life itself. As I touched on earlier this month in the post I am authentic to my soul, I believe firmly in the importance of rocking, owning, and being proud of one's unique style voice.

I don't subscribe to the theory that there is only one way (aka, highly period accurate) to wear vintage, nor that one need ever follow trends (unless they want to), or that you have to follow in line with the bulk of the population when it comes to how you dress or live your life. We are so incredibly blessed to each be born unique - why would you want to merely blend into the crowd, when you could, if only in a small way, standout and expressive your creativity through your wardrobe choices?

V&Oak stands for "vintage and one and a kind", a description which could very well be used to sum up my wardrobe in its entirety, along with those of many of you as well. This magazine puts an emphasis on originality, individualism, and freedom of style, while embracing the past, but not becoming a complete slave to it.

Far from simply discussing fashion, this magazine partnered classic lines from Huckleberry Finn with one of their outfit spreads, interviewed a modern photographer who does vintage themed boudoir style shoots, explored topics pertaining to vintage weddings and home decor, gave a fair handed amount of page space to multiple decades (from the 1920s right on up to the 1980s), interviewed multiple bloggers, authors, business people, and creative folks from around the world, and made me feel, after just a few pages in, as though I was sitting around on a comfy couch having a great conversation with some of the brightest, most inspiringly dressed friends a gal could ever ask for.

Miles away from the many dime a dozen modern glossy mags, and even a few of the indie publications out there, V&Oak felt fresh and new, yet not so avant-garde as to risk not hitting its target scarcely on the mark.

This magazine will likely appeal as much to fashionistas as it will those who beat squarely to their own style drum. It is well laid out, beautifully photographed, engagingly written, and positively lovely through and through. It's important for those of us whose fashion choices deviate from the so-called standard norm to feel like there are publications out there that speak to us, highlight brands and styles we enjoy, and which help us discover and learn more about topics that matter to us in the process.

V&Oak does all that, and more. It is a vibrant, exciting, beautiful new publication, and one which I firmly believe the fashion sphere, and the world as a whole, is better off because of.

If your interest in V&Oak has been piqued, and I do hope it has, I'm delighted to give one lucky winner the chance to win a one year subscription to V&Oak magazine (which will include the 1st edition - in which yours truly appears), constituting two issues in total (the magazine is currently published twice a year).

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How to enter:There are seven possible ways for you to enter this giveaway, the more of them that you do, the greater your odds of winning will be.

1.Leave a comment telling me one of the reasons why you love your own unique look (be it vintage or otherwise). 2. Follow V&Oak on Twitter. 3. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, including a @VandOAK and the hashtag #winvandoak to win your tweet. 3. Sign up for V&Oak newsletter (scroll down near the bottom right hand side of the page to do so).4. Like V&Oak on Facebook. 5. Like Chronically Vintage on Facebook.6. Post about this giveaway on Facebook. 7.Post about this giveaway, including a link to this Chronically Vintage post, as well as V&Oak’s website, on your own blog. Please make sure toleave a separate comment specifying each of the ways in which you entered this giveaway, so as to increase your odds of winning.

Giveaway detailsThis giveaway is for a one year subscription (two editions) of V&Oak magazine, which will be mailed directly to you from the fine folks at V&Oak themselves. It it open to contestants from around the world, and will run from between today's date and Sunday December 1, 2013. The lucky winner will be drawn using a random number generator and contacted by me shortly thereafter (and possibly announced on the blog, too). Please email me if you have any questions about this giveaway.

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It's been several weeks now, since I first saw my own face smiling up at me from two articles in the inaugural print edition of V&Oak, and longer still since I was interviewed (including by the thoroughly wonderful Janine Rudkins from Lesley's Girls Vintage) for it, and still my feet have yet to come quite back down to earth entirely.

There are certain firsts in life that stay with your forever, especially if they're not something that most people get to experience - a camp in which I would place appearing in a glossy fashion magazine squarely into. And this was one of those amazing firsts for me. I truly want to thank V&Oak for including me in their premier print edition, and for recognizing my blog and my personal style as jiving with their ethos and vision.

I've always been a bit of a square vintage peg in a world of round holes, so to speak, and it means an incredible amount to me to know that not only are there others out there like myself, but that we have a magazine that captures the spirit and splendor of rocking a vintage and one of a kind wardrobe and life every day in countless wonderful ways to read now twice a year.

As my answer to the question, I love my look because it gives me confidence and allows me to dress in a way that I wouldn't have done when I was younger. I tried conforming to popular fashions but it has never worked well for me so I'm pleased to be able to dress the way I want now without feeling like it's "wrong" or that I will lose out on having friends purely because of the way that I dress.

It's no more than you deserve, you most definitely have a unique style that suits you completely. We are starting to get some great vintage themed magazines in the U.K now, I will have to check out my local news agent for this one ! I'm also following them on Twitter now so I can get updates.I love clothes and fashion but I hate that it is so identical and throw away. I don't follow fashion I wear what makes me feel good about myself which is a lovely mishmash of old, repro and new.

I've never heard of this magazine!! It sounds amazing. And congrats on a real-live paper magazine article! That's quite a blogging accomplishment!

I like my style because it allows me to just wear things I like without having to worry about whether or not I'd be considered "trendy" or having to spend a lot of money to always keep up with styles. Vintage is classic and wearable for decades!

First of all its so wonderful that you are in t his magazine which sounds right up my alley. I love dressing vintage because it brightens my day and makes me happy. I think women in hte past had mu ch more fun with their clothes and I want to do the same When I turned 35 lastyear I realized life is too short not to wear just what you want.

Hi Jessica, many congratulations on the feature! I have been hoping to see a copy of the magazine as it looks great, so would love to win the subscription comp. Having your own unique style has always been important to me. For me it's about freedom of expression and creativity and using the past for inspiration but being an individual and unconcerned with what anyone else is thinking, doing or wearing!Best wishes,Jo

I've join you on FacebookAlready follow V&Oak on TwitterTweeted about the compJust signed up to the V&Oak mailing listThanks!

This is absolutely fantastic, congratulations! It is such a well written feature. I really enjoy my British magazines and now there is one all about vintage I am in (I'll will enter your giveaway which is so fantastic) if I don't win I will be treating myself to the mag for sure:) be on the look out for multiple comments for me:)

Hi Jessica, as a fellow chronic pain sufferer and long-time vintage lover, please let me say that you are an inspiration and reading your blog provides a regular highlight to my days. V&Oak looks like a fabulous magazine (I signed up for their newsletter just now).Thank you for all your work here on the blog - truly uplifting!

Thank you so tremendously much, my sweet dear, that sincerely means a great deal to me. It's always awesome to connect with fellow chronic illness fighting vintage lovers the world over, and I really appreciate that you commented to let me know you're a fellow member of this camp. Please know that I'm always here if you ever need anyone to talk to about any element of life with chronic health problems.

Just joined their newsletter, I don't have facebook or twitter so that will be it for me. Dang I am also having a hard time answering your question! I love my unique look for some many reasons it is hard to nail it down but I dress to please myself and I think vintage is adorable so I wear it! it doesn't hurt that I get to meet other who love vintage as well:)

Hello.I have told you before (when you announced this), I have no problem in telling this again: I am ever so proud of you, darling girl!If anyone (anyone!) deserves to be a magazine-diva, that's you. You are tirelessly proving to be one of the top Vintage bloggers out there, not only by style - but by a lifestyle, your vision and your inspiration. I'm so happy the folks from V&OAK saw that in you, and chose you to be featured.. and not in any issue - but the Issue Number ONE....Pop by my blog, I wrote a little omage on the subject.

Entered on Twitter (@franticafrances) , (and will probably enter in all the other ways too!) fingers crossed :) Congrats on your two features in the magazine, really want to win so I can read your features; and spend a whole year reading great features & articles in the mag! xx

Congratulations on your magazine apperance, you are a star, dear! :) And I'm behind with your blog since I've hosted my fifties themed fifties birthday party, which by the way went very well. I would love to win the magazine, but I'm not sure if they ship to Denmark.

Congrats on your articles. You look wonderful (as always) and they look like interesting reads.I love having a unique style. I like that I have clothes that I feel comfortable in (physically and emotionally) and still feel like I look good. There is not really any risk of "who wore it better" and I do not feel like I compare myself to other people while I am out and about. Trying not to compare myself to vintage bloggers on the other hand a little harder, but I am getting that under hand.

Congratulations! What a wonderful giveaway. I think what I like most about how I dress, is simply that, I like what I wear and I wear what I like, with very few guidelines. I think it's extremely liberating to wear only things you like, not what you've been told to like, and I think it makes me a happier person all around. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Jess, this is so cool, congratulations on such an awesome feature! I dig vintage, and my ever-evolving "look," because I like the feel of the fabrics, the cuts are so much more flattering, but most importantly because I love the feeling of stepping into history, hopefully into something someone long ago loved, and that I get to feel myself as part of the greater span of fashion history.

I love the idea of this magazine! As someone who mixes vintage clothing with some modern or self-made items, I am highly devoted to my own individual style that transcends the trends of the day. Not that I don't appreciate some of the vintage trends circulating, but personal style is forever, while trends fade away. I also signed up for the newsletter!

I LOVE The idea for this magazine! As someone devoted to her own individual style that incorporates vintage fabulousness with modern pieces and self made pieces, Its a treat to see something that transcends the ever-changing trends of the day. Trends may fade, but personal style is forever! I also signed up for the newsletter!

I love my own unique look, because no one else will be wearing the same clothes as me, whether they are vintage, thrifted, or, most of the time, handmade with a vintage look. I know some people, even within my family, would say that I have a bit of an eccentric style, but I like it. :)

My personal style is contemporary with a good dose of vintage be it in the form of jewellery, accessories or clothing. I love embroidered items, pure silk, lace, lavish pieces that speak of luxury and bohemian style. Yet I don't go overboard but tone it all down with whatever spells comfort and elegance in the here and now....

I love vintage styles because to me they are beautiful and dressing up that way makes me feel beautiful. For most of the last two years I have been bedbound so dressing up has mostly been in my imagination, although I did upgrade my pyjamas :) you are an inspiration to me, thankyou for sharing your journey in such a wonderful honest and yes beautiful way

BIG Congratulations on this! I can only imagine how exciting it must be to have been featured in what seems to be a great vintage styled magazine!

I love my unique, vintage inspired style because it means I'm not a slave to trends or fashion. I make my own rules - which makes getting dressed fun. I can incorporate trends if I choose and am not a slave to a certain bygone era either. I love the challenge of eclectically mixing my favourite influences, be they vintage or not, into a look that's purely me - my signature style.

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
however if at any time you would prefer not to see one of your images here, please email me and I'll take it down right away.

PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.